Viliami Halalilo and Tukumo’ui Havea have been jailed for common assault when they punched and kicked a defenceless 21-year-old man in Neiafu, Vava’u.

Hon. Mr Justice Cooper sentenced them on 15 November, after convicting both of the offences committed on Liuaki Fainu. This was after a trial on 28 October, at the Supreme Court Neiafu Registry.

The judge said as serving police officers, on 12 June 2021 they responded for a call for assistance from Lusinita Fainu at Ha'alaufuli.

“Her husband, Liuaki was drunk and threw a mop around and broke two of the lourves at the home they shared. These officers attended and took Mr. Fainu into custody, driving him back to the police station in Neiafu.

“On their arrival, whilst the vehicle was on the forecourt, Mr. Fainu ran away. As he was running through the Taunga residence he fell. First Officer Halalilo, the Officer Havea set upon him They both kicked him to his head and threw punches at him. At one point, Officer Halalilo pulled him up from the ground and smashed Mr. Fainu's face into his knee.

“Mr. Fainu had a moment of unconsciousness during the beating. He pleaded for them to stop, but they did not. They continued to kick and punch him on the ground,” he said.

“At trial, the judge noted that on the evidence of the independent witness, there was no resistance offered. Both officers are significantly bigger and plainly stronger that Mr. Fainu. He must have been a soft target for them. Both officers were wearing safety boots.

“Mr. Fainu lost a tooth in the assault. But, since the Crown did not jointly indict the defendants in the count of common assault and I could not be sure when that happened, Officer Halalilo was acquitted of that count,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Crown submitted the aggravating features included the defendants being police officers, the trauma caused to the victim and the seriousness of the offences.

“I conclude the aggravating features can properly be said to be these: it was a group attack, targeting the head of the victim who was defenceless on the ground and offered no resistance and kicks aimed at his head,” he said.

The maximum sentence is a fine not exceeding $5,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12-months, under section 112 Criminal Offences Act.

Assaulting defenceless man

The judge also said neither defendants admitted the offending.

The Crown submitted that a mitigating feature of their cases was their apologies. 

“Just as probation have strongly advocated suspended sentences on that basis that, they are contrite and have high chances of rehabilitation. But, the submissions made on behalf of both by probation that they are remorseful is tempered by each telling probation they were not involved in any attack,” he said.

"Equally both claim they accept the Court's decision.They do not. They did not go over to the victim on the ground, pick him up and then simply take him to the police station as they have reported to probation.

“They beat up a defenceless man ignoring his pleas for mercy."

He said it was accepted that both defendants have some good points and they have, on the whole, shown commitment and hard work and honesty.

"But, ultimately, the shine is taken off those submissions by their denials to probation."

The judge said, albeit that Officer Halalilo was the first to attack, and used his knee to strike the victim's head, he treated both defendants in the same way because they were in this together.

“Because this was a group attack, the use of shod feet to kick the victim to the head. He was on the ground throughout and offered no resistance and indeed begged that they stopped, which they ignored, a starting point of 8-months is appropriate in this case.

“This was then reduced by two-months for all the positive things that can properly be said about them, as in the probation reports and all the submissions on their behalf,” he said.

"I cannot reduce that any further on account of their continual denials of being involved, to do so would be utterly craven."

The two were then sentenced to six-months imprisonment each with the last two-months suspended for one-year, on conditions.